May 8, 2025
Greetings community,
|
|
|
Happy May!
We're right at the edge of Pride, can you believe it? It goes without saying that this Pride season already feels different. We invite you to embrace those feelings; use them to fuel you, use them to create meaningful connections and build community, use them to celebrate, use them to rage, what you're feeling is valid and appropriate. While there are so many uncertainties happening right now, what we can unapologetically say is that community is healing, community is strength & community is our collective power.
We invite you to join us this month for some amazing community programming that we're hosting at the Pride Center! Please scroll down to learn about these special events.
|
|
|
| May is Mental Health
Awareness Month!
For San Mateo County and California, the 2025 May Mental Health Month theme is Mental Health as a Continuum. This theme challenges the binary idea of “healthy” versus “unhealthy” mental health, normalizing the wide range of mental health experiences and encouraging individuals to embrace and accept the full spectrum of their well-being.
To learn more about Mental Health Month and the events that San Mateo County BHRS are hosting in May, please visit this link - www.smchealth.org/mental-health-month
|
|
| Upcoming programs and events in May!
|
|
|
| Gayme Night- NEXT TUESDAY!
Tuesday, May 13 from 6:30-8:30PM
at the Pride Center
Instead of being bored, join us at the Pride Center for a fun night of board games! From party games to trivia, we will have as much variety in games as we do in our community. Plus, we will even have prizes! You have nothing to lose (except for every game you play).
Registration is encouraged, but not required. Register in advance to be entered to win a drawing prize. There will also be some prizes for some of our game winners as well.
|
|
| The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402. Our building is located at 11th and El Camino. For accessibility and parking information, please use this link: sanmateopride.org/accessibility
Questions? Please contact info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
|
|
|
Becoming Aware of our Assumptions: Conversations to Create
More Inclusive Spaces
Tuesday, May 27 from 6-8pm on Zoom
The Pride Center is excited to offer this popular training for community members at large, free of charge! As we prepare for June Pride, this pre-SOGIE/LGBTQ+ 101 curriculum fosters a safe space to help bring awareness to our own implicit biases about the LGBTQ+ community. (SOGIE stands for "sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression")
|
|
| | We all move through the world with assumptions and belief systems that impact our attitudes, behaviors, and interactions. The issue is not with our assumptions but whether we are aware of them. This interactive workshop is designed to help us carefully identify our biases, explore their roots, and determine methods to not let them hinder our interactions with others.
We provide a safe space for learning, exercises, and dialogue to better enable participants to foster safe spaces in our everyday lives. By providing interactive activities, discussion time, and videos, the Pride Center will hold space for healing dialogue to help us all shift our assumptions and biases toward truth.
Register quickly! This training will be capped at a 50-person maximum to foster a safe and grounding experience for all. For any questions regarding the training or registration, please contact Ishani Dugar
at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or (650) 554-1234 (text ok)
|
|
|
The Pride Center is "Mask Friendly"
|
|
|
| In case you missed it - The Pride Center is switching from being a “mask required” to a “mask friendly” site. This means that community members have the option of wearing a mask when visiting the Pride Center. This decision was made in response to the feedback received from our community, clients, surveys, and in comparison to other community centers.
The Pride Center is always deeply committed to the health and safety of our community and team. We will continue to keep our space as ventilated as possible, which includes utilizing multiple air purifying machines throughout the center. Additionally, we will remain diligent about regularly sanitizing high volume spaces and providing masks at the entrance of the center for those who choose to wear them.
|
|
| To read all the precautions that we are taking, please click this link.
|
|
|
San Mateo County's 13th Annual Pride Celebration is a space to champion inclusion and wellness for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies in our county.
This year's Pride Celebration will be on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown San Mateo. We will have live entertainment, live DJ, resource and vendor booths, family-friendly activities, a Pride parade through Downtown San Mateo and more. Registration for the Pride Parade is open! To learn more about the Pride Parade, click this link. If you are interested in performing at San Mateo County Pride, visit this link.
|
|
|
Interested in joining an SMC Pride subcommittee?
Contact PRIDE Initiative co-chair Dana Johnson at theractivist@gmail.com for the meeting Zoom link. We are actively looking for community members to join a Pride Celebration subcommittee and support with planning an amazing Pride Celebration.
|
|
| Planning committees includes:
- Volunteer/Outreach
- Child/Youth Space
- Website
- Older Adult
- Parade
- Booth Vendors
- Food Trucks
- Entertainment
|
|
| PRIDE MONTH IS AROUND THE CORNER!!
|
|
|
It's almost Pride Month!
You can still submit Pride Month requests to the Pride Center.
If your organization, business, group, church, or school is interested in having the Pride Center collaborate or participate in your programming in any capacity during Pride Month, you can submit your request via this form.
(or with the button below)
*Please note - all requests submitted after April 15 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
|
|
| | Examples of requests that you can submit include, but are not limited to:
- Tabling at your resource fair or event
- Co-hosting/ partnering an event
- Requesting a training or consultation (to learn more about our trainings and consultations, please visit this link)
- Speaking at your event
Please note:
- Submitting a request is not a guarantee that we can participate
- Free services include – collaborating or co-hosting events, tabling, speaking engagements
- Services associated with a cost are trainings, consultations can vary
If you are interested in holding a fundraiser for the San Mateo County Pride Center, please email info@sanmateopride.org.
If June is not the right time, please reach out to us anyway! We’re here and Queer all year and can work with you for your training or outreach needs outside of Pride Month!
|
|
|
| If you want to support us this Pride season and BEYOND, consider becoming a monthly or one-time donor! Your generosity makes a tremendous difference in helping us better serve our clients and community. Donate today by clicking the button below.
|
|
| Pride Month Programs from the San Mateo County Pride Center!
|
|
|
Join us at the Pride Center in June for FriGay Flicks and Pride Queeraoke!
|
|
|
Resource Guide - Post Election FAQ - UPDATED!
|
|
|
|
The San Mateo County Pride Center and CoastPride have received many questions about what is in store for the LGBTQ+ community since the 2024 election. In response, we’ve created this list of commonly asked questions and answers, along with a linktree of related resources.
To access the UPDATED digital version of this document, please click here: https://tinyurl.com/smclgbtqfaq
Please note that these are living resources.
|
|
| Different letters of the LGBTQIA+ community have different needs and are facing different threats. A good place to start to look for supportive organizations in the Bay Area is The Horizon Foundation’s organization directory. Many organizations (including CoastPride and the Pride Center) offer identity specific peer support groups as well as case management and mental health support, virtually and online. You can access types of services on our websites here for more information: https://sanmateopride.org/ and https://coastpride.org/.
|
|
|
We encourage you to pass along this information to others in the community who may benefit from it. We're here to support you. Please help us spread the word!
If you have questions or suggested updates to this document or the linktree, please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org and/or contact@coastpride.org.
|
|
|
Join the Pride Center's Community Advisory Board (CAB)!
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a fabulous way to get involved in your community?
Join the San Mateo County Pride Center’s Community Advisory Board (or CAB, for short)! CAB welcomes LGBTQ+ folks and allies to join. They are a diverse and representative group of volunteer members who have a passion for serving the LGBTQ+ community. They work closely with Pride Center staff to support programming, decisions, and design. Some of their awesome collaborations include San Mateo County’s first Adult Queer Prom, San Mateo County Pride Celebrations, Art Parties, and more!
|
|
|
CAB meets virtually on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. In the month of May, the CAB meeting will meet on May 14. If you are interested and want more information about CAB, connect with our Community Engagement & Volunteer Specialist, Low Sunga (she/they) at lowellyn.sunga@sanmateopride.org.
|
|
|
The San Mateo Pride Center is excited to be able to offer a variety of trainings and educational opportunities! To learn more about our training program, please visit this link. If you have questions related to training program, reach out to Ishani Dugar (they/xe) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or call 650-554-1234 (text ok).
To learn more about the free community training we're hosting in May,
please see the update section above.
Please stay tuned for information about the
FREE community trainings that we'll be hosting during Pride Month!
|
|
|
Mental Health Services at the Pride Center
|
|
|
There is currently a short waitlist to receive clinical services.
|
|
|
We provide high quality, LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming mental health services to those living throughout San Mateo County and beyond. Our compassionate team tailors care to meet the unique needs of each client, providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based support. If you’re feeling sad, anxious, alone, or just need someone to talk to, we’re here for you.
|
|
| | We accept Medi-Cal with Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM) and Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS). Because no one should be turned away for lack of funds, sliding-scale fees are also available to self-pay clients with proof of income. Case Management and Name/Gender Change support are free!
Clinical services include:
- Therapy for Individuals, Relationships, Families and Groups
- Case Management (Housing, Healthcare, Employment, Resource navigation support)
- Legal Name and Gender Change Support
If you have questions, please contact
clinical@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
If you are interested in receiving mental health services or learning more about our clinical offerings, please click the button below
|
|
|
Come Volunteer with the Pride Center!
|
|
|
| Would you like to volunteer with the Pride Center? We never underestimate the value of donated time, and neither should you! Are you interested and available to give back? If so, please consider some of the possibilities listed below.
Virtual and onsite volunteer roles with the Pride Center include, but are not limited to:
- Events such as movie and karaoke nights, other social/community events
- Assisting with development goals
- Youth or Older Adult specific programming
- Social media support
- Peer support co-facilitator (LGBTQ+ Book club and Queer Women's Group)
- Join or Community Advisory Board
|
|
| If you’re interested in learning more about these or any other opportunities, reach out to Low (she/they) at Lowellyn.Sunga@sanmateopride.org (preferred) or 650-591-0133 who can help you figure out the best match for a mutually rewarding experience.
Thank you for investing in the Pride Center’s essential programs and services. We can’t do our work without you!
For more information about our volunteer program, click the button below.
|
|
|
Outlet offers 2 FREE, Weekly Youth Social/Support Groups for LGBTQ+ Ages 14-25.
All Outlet youth groups are safe and confidential spaces to share experiences and build community. You can find more details about Outlet youth groups by visiting Outlet's website.
|
|
|
| Monday LGBTQIA+ Youth Group (Ages 10 to 18)
When: Mondays from 4:30-6:00pm
Where: HYBRID online and In-Person in Redwood City, California
Tuesday QTBIPOC Group (Ages 14 to 25) - ON HIATUS
Thursday Trans Group (Ages 14 to 25)
When: Thursdays from 5:00-6:30pm
Where: Hybrid* (In-Person in Redwood City, CA & Online via Zoom)
*Trans group members have the option every week to join a group meeting virtually or in-person
|
|
| If you or someone you know is interested in attending these groups, please visit this link.
|
|
|
The Pride Center and Stanford LGBTQ+ Health Program co-host Trans Talks, a free, monthly workshop series that centers the health and wellness of our Transgender and Gender Diverse community members. Every month, a different medical student from Stanford's LGBTQ+ Health Program will share information and lead a discussion.
Please stay tuned for information about this month's workshop!
|
|
|
If you are interested in rewatching/ watching these presentations or if you are interested in seeing recordings* of other previous presentations, please use this link: tinyurl.com/transtalks-recordings.
*Please note: Some workshops aren't recorded at the presenter's request. If a workshop isn't recorded, there is usually a slideshow that can be accessed. All recordings utilize closed captioning.
If you have questions, need support or would like to suggest a topic please contact
Marilyn (she/her) at Marilyn.Fernando@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
|
|
|
Name and Gender Change Workshop
|
|
|
If you are looking for support in changing your name on your legal documents, join our FREE monthly name and gender marker workshops.
This workshop takes place in two parts. Part 1 will cover court order forms,
filing instructions, and fee waivers.
Part 2 will cover updating social
security documents, DMV documents, passports, birth certificates, and
other documents.
|
|
| | Upcoming workshops: Part 1- May 14 & June 11 Part 2– June 25
*If the times above don't work for your schedule, please let us know. We can arrange for individual appointments or consultations if needed. If you would like to attend part 2 before the scheduled month, please reach out to us!
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/name-and-gender-change-rsvp
If you have questions or want to schedule an individual appointment, please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133.
|
|
|
Just a reminder: we offer some financial aide for the legal process and free gender affirming supplies. For more information about this, please see this link:
tinyurl.com/ngc-financial-aid
|
|
|
| Join us On Zoom or In-Person on the 1st Thursday of the month to: find community, share stories & interests, give and receive support, and build new friendships! This group is welcoming of all people who identify as Trans* or are exploring their gender.
This group will continue to take place during the first Thursday of the month from 6-7:30 PM PST.
Register using this link -tinyurl.com/smcpc-transgroup1
|
|
| May's peer support group meeting schedule-
- LGBTQ+ Parent Group
- Gay Men's Group
- Queer Women's Group
June Peer support group dates:
- June Book Club: The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
- Polyamory Peer Power
- Trans* Peer Support Group
If you have any questions, please contact
Ishani.Dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234 (text ok)
For more information about our monthly peer support groups
for community members 18+, please click this link.
|
|
|
Community events, programs and news
|
|
|
| Our friends at CoastPride host Empowering Parents and Caregivers of Gender Expansive Kids.
This hybrid group takes place on the 4th Monday of the month from 6-8PM.
This group is open to coastside parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth and adults, provides an opportunity to share stories and resources, foster inclusivity, awareness, and kindness, and learn more about supporting our LGBTQ+ community and families.
Peer-led by parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.
Meetings are held at CoastPride and on Zoom. For more information or the meeting link, email
pcgfacilitators@coastpride.org
|
|
| San Mateo County Health is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Edison Clinic Therapist (Psychiatric Social Worker I/II). To learn more about the position please click this link.
|
|
|
CoastPride is seeking an Executive Director to lead and manage CoastPride: overseeing operations, finances, programs, staff, and volunteers. This person works with the Board to drive strategic planning, fundraising, and stakeholder relationships to achieve CoastPride’s mission, which is to create a coastside that supports and celebrates people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
To learn more about the role, please click this link.
This position is open until filled.
|
|
|
-
Follow us on Bluesky!
https://bsky.app/profile/sanmateopride.bsky.social
-
If you are hosting a resource fair or another event & would like to invite us to table or attend, please reach out to Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org or 650-465-2407
- If there is programming at the Pride Center that you'd like to suggest, please use this link
- To access a list of local and national hotlines, please click this link
- If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact 988 or the StarVista crisis hotline at 650-579-0350. We are proud to say that the StarVista Crisis Center is an LGBTQ+ affirming organization.
-
A reminder about our operating hours -
-
Programs & Services are available virtually: Monday-Friday 10:00am-7:00pm
-
We are on site in-person at the Center: Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-6:30pm
-
Briefly closed on Tuesdays 1:00pm-3:00pm
|
|
|
In community,
The San Mateo County Pride Center
|
Did you know we rely on the generosity of donations to provide our services at lower costs or for free? Can you help support LGBTQ+ wellness? Becoming a one-time or monthly donor makes a tremendous difference in helping us better serve our clients and community. Donate today by clicking the button below.
|
|
|
The San Mateo County Pride Center is a program of StarVista in collaboration with Outlet of Adolescent Counseling Services, and Peninsula Family Service.
|
|
|
|
|